Kia Philippines has announced the refreshed version of the Picanto. Here’s the news from Kia: A new version of Kia’s stylish A-segment city hatchback, the Picanto, is now available featuring a range of dynamic and visual improvements to maintain its dynamic competitiveness and its position as the best-looking car in its class.
Modern new looks for super-stylish Picanto
The enhanced Kia Picanto boasts redesigned front and rear bumpers to emphasize the car’s bold looks, with a new wider grille and flared bumpers matching updates to Kia’s hallmark ‘tiger-nose’ grille. The integrated front fog lamps now feature a new clear lens for greater visibility when in use and a more high quality appearance. Light distribution from the fog lamps has also been optimized for greater safety in low visibility conditions.
At the rear of the car, the upgraded Picanto gets a new black diffuser-effect panel integrated into the rear bumper, for a sportier, more sophisticated look. Buyers can also choose an optional new 14-inch alloy wheel design to make the car stand out even more. These changes ensure the upgraded car stands out in the A-segment, with class-leading looks for the five-door variants.
Inside, the Kia Picanto is now fitted with new chrome accents surrounding the driver’s instrument binnacle, dashboard air vents and base of the gear stick, with new glossy piano black trim applied to the transmission panel and gear stick itself. A new cloth upholstery pattern boosts the car’s youthful appeal, while, at the center of the dashboard, a more modern fascia now surrounds the Picanto’s audio system.
Moreover, the driver’s standard instrument binnacle gets a larger LCD display for greater clarity on the move.
Upgraded audio system and greater customization
Kia Picanto buyers typically love playing music or listening to the radio when on the move and both the standard and optional audio systems have been improved in the latest model. The basic 2.0 audio system receives a larger LCD display, improved synchronization with MP3 music players and enhanced reception from the aerial for higher-quality analogue radio.
Improved braking performance and gear shifts
The enhanced Picanto also brings with it a boost to occupant safety and driving dynamics, with larger brakes reducing the car’s stopping distance. New larger 252 mm front brakes (increased from 241 mm) are available as an option, allowing the car to stop from 100 km/h in just 37 meters – an improvement of two meters.
On top of this, the enhanced Picanto also benefits from smoother shifts in first and second gear, thanks to new carbon-coatings to components of the manual transmission and a new urethane stopper at the end of the shift throw. With the Picanto predominantly used in urban environments, drivers will enjoy slicker and more satisfying gear changes in the upgraded model as they engage the transmission’s five forward gears.
The enhanced Kia Picanto continues to be offered with a choice of two highly efficient gasoline engines – ranging in power output from 69 to 87 ps – driving the front wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.
Enhanced Picanto now available globally
Kia Picanto is manufactured at Kia’s Seosan manufacturing facility in Korea, and is among the brand’s best-selling models around the globe, with more than 150,000 units sold in 2014.
Following its global sale, Columbian Autocar Corporation, the exclusive distributor of Kia Motors vehicles in the Philippines, is thrilled to bring Kia Picanto to Philippine roads.
Visit a Kia dealership near you or check out www.facebook.com/kiainthephilippines and www.kia.com to know more about your favorite Kia vehicles!
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